Motswafere lashes out at Sharon Sibonge funeral
SHARON SIBONGE: A song silenced, A legacy unbroken
The harsh reality of the music industry in Botswana recently came to a head at the memorial service for singer Sharon Sibonge, whose life was tragically cut short by health complications.
It was there that singer and LGBTIQ+ activist Motswakgakala Sithole, known as Motswafere, delivered a sobering wake-up call, speaking truth to power and laying bare the struggles of artists. He argued that the industry, suffering from a lack of support, is a ship that has sailed, leaving many of its creators behind.
Motswafere painted a picture of an industry where the integrity of artists has been washed down the drain, and their invaluable contributions have been forgotten. “They should be heard for the contribution they did in the music industry,” he pleaded, citing jazz pioneer Banjo Mosele as a trailblazer who cleared the path for many.
Motswafere’s message was a heartfelt plea for government assistance, urging that these capable and determined artists be given the tools to change the system. He made it clear that “we do not have anything to start shows or festivals even,” and that the time has come to make a change.
Sharon’s journey began in 2010 when she first auditioned for the television show, My Star. Though she didn’t win that year, her voice left an indelible mark. It was in 2012 that she returned with a fire in her belly, ready to take the world by storm.
Her untimely death is a profound loss and leaves a gaping hole in a music industry with so few women at the forefront. As the saying goes, “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” Her legacy will live on, a star that has fallen but whose light will never be extinguished.
As the American author Maya Angelou once said, “A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” Sharon Sibonge was a great soul, and her music will continue to do just that.
This spirit of resilience was a testament to her mission: to challenge stereotypes and carve out a space for women in a male-dominated industry. Her hard work paid off, and she won My Star 2012, releasing her debut album as part of the prize.
Her musical career was a whirlwind, as she joined forces with jazz greats like Banjo Mosele and Ndingo Johwa, pushing the genre to new heights. Her powerful vocals earned her a spot in the Re Batswana Ensemble, where she proved she was in a league of her own. Her rendition of Celine Dion’s “I Surrender” on My Star left the audience in awe of her ability to master high notes, a rare talent that set her apart.
Later, on the special edition show Best of the Best, Sharon competed with all her heart and secured third place, cementing her status as a natural-born singer. She lived her life to the fullest, gracing elite stages and even doing karaoke, proving that for her, music was more than a career; it was her very soul.
